Nell discovers that the world needs more love. And so her journey begins...as she sets about changing the world...  Just a little girl with a simple idea and a big loving heart!

Written & illustrated by Jodi Whitby. Produced & Designed by Nick Robson ​

What readers are saying...
 ​"Just received my two copies of your book. What an absolute gem! Brought tears to my eyes. Exquisite illustrations, excellent poetry but mostly a fantastic message! Thanks for writing this beautiful book. Can't wait to give it to my niece and nephew. I urge people to buy it for their little ones"
Beverly Law BSc., MCIHort, MPGCA ​​
"I absolutely love this book. In a world of such sad, depressing news every day it is a little ray of sunshine that makes you very happy."
"Absolutely beautiful book, I smiled with every page I turned. Its such a wonderful light story clearly written with love and the illustrations are just fantastic, Thank you for sharing the love."
"Beautiful illustrations .... and a gorgeous, invigorating and uplifting story told in rhyme. Wonderful for children and adults alike. Life affirming and a wonderful seed for young minds. LOVE IT! Brava Jodi Whitby!"

Tattyhead Design is dead! The little spotty chicken has come home to roost in the big free-range scratching ground in the sky. She is happy.

So what happens to all the greetings cards I hear you cry (hopefully)? Well, they are still very much alive and under my terribly loose and irresponsible supervision at jodiwhitby.co.uk. So please do drop by and order cards whenever you like.

In the meantime, here are some little reminders of her long adventures.

Delighted to be commissioned by Sam & Dee Ogilvie to create a triptych for their bespoke house boat, hand built by Sam
( samogilvie.co.uk/design/houseboat )

It's a weird one when your first born leaves home. Mine just has. He's only gone to university, not to war nor to an even worse fate, thankfully. I'm so incredibly happy for him. But there's this feeling, and it's WAY stronger than I imagined it would be, ever. It's as if I'm standing alone on a beach at sunset and the tide has gone so so far out. It's so far I can't see it, I can't hear it. Everywhere is still. I feel exposed, no longer enveloped by the rushing embrace of the undulating, playful waves.

I know that on the other side his tide is high, full of life and adventure. It's good!

​But I feel a bit lost, and I need to turn to the others still at home and prepare them too for their eventual great swims. Releasing little fishes into the ocean...Love and hugs to you all.

I'm back painting having concentrated on other things (writing and illustrating 'Nell's Big Heart', more fitness and yoga, qualifying as a swimming teacher, working at polo and watching the beautiful incredible ponies) BUT...it feels SO good to be back in the studio, working with my favourite subjects, water and light. I want to be in there most days - and it feels great! Let me know what you think... x

I've had a break from seascapes to concentrate on a series of work especially commissioned for

in Chichester & Southsea, West Sussex

The idea was to replicate the beautiful colours and textures of distressed and ageing metal
onto hanging canvases. 
The process involved adding layer upon layer of paint, dabbing and refining and adding again.
I found it incredibly relaxing and thoroughly enjoyed seeing how the effects evolved

Delighted that 6 pieces of my work have been selected for Private View and ongoing exhibiting
​at the truly, utterly wonderful 

in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

All their work is nautical as the gallery is next to the prestigious Royal London Yacht Club

 shortlisted for magazine cover competition

So proud that my painting 'Ozzie' has been shortlisted for the
Ken Bromley Art Supplies Magazine. So many UK artists purchase from them as the quality is good and the customer service is exceptional.

Please vote by clicking the link above. Thank you! 

Inspired by cold winter sea swimming off Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex, England.

My heart will always be with the water.

When it's too cold to paint in the studio...bring the party into the kitchen!
Private commission for LANO Yoga Centre, Southsea, England.
Looking forward to seeing it up!

The sea on the South English coast is really beginning to get cold now...it inspires me beyond even my own comprehension.

As with so many artists, music is an incredible inspiration. I hadn't listened to This Mortal Coil's 'Song To The Siren' for many years, but one evening it found me again. It's uniquely mesmerising tones returned to haunt me . . . and once more I fell in love;  willingly surrendering as if lured by the siren herself, the following painting emerged.

Shimmering and sparkling, the sunlit path on the winter sea is a danger to swimmers. Its alluring fascination pulls you in, deeper and deeper. Lost in its magic our hearts are given-up, our bodies obey; mindlessly we follow the undulating current as if lured by the irresistible song of a siren...

Stay alert! For it is when you feel comfortable and settled in the waters icy grip that the damage is already unfolding, and as hard as it is to pull yourself away...you must! 

Beware, the cold winter sea can be the most enticingly beautiful yet punishing lover.

Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex. Winter 2016/2017

Cloud watching along part of the West Sussex South Downs this morning.  Constantly changing sky, fresh air and a happy dog.  I love West Sussex.

Just downed paintbrushes to take a tea break.  I turned to look out of my windows and gasped at how filthy dirty they are! But then out came the sun and my windows revealed a magical message - from one of my children (I'm suspecting it's the eight year old). 

I'm not going to clean them, not just yet.

Set-up day at The Foundry, Camden Market.  Wrapped artwork arriving and interactive touch screens being installed.  All very calm and under control.  More photos to follow on Thursday 26 February at the Artists Afternoon and Press Launch.

Can't wait to see my paintings on the wall!    www.artfinder.com/popup/camden/

Recently my style of painting has changed for the better. Friends are asking me what's happened; how come I'm suddenly really enjoying this creative process? Furthermore, and perhaps the best bit for me, is that people are paying me for my artwork, even as far away as Australia.  Naturally I'm feeling more than a tad chuffed! 

So what's happened?  Quite simply, I've read a book which has been on my radar for the past 13 years.  It's a well known book within creative industries called "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron, and boy has made an impact on me.

My whole attitude to painting has improved.  In fact my whole attitude to creative writing, taking photographs, even walking the dog has improved.  By the end of the first chapter I was selling more paintings. That's right - the first chapter (now I'm sounding like a TV advert)!  You have to work through exercises and basically deal with your Sh*t - and then turn all the negative, limiting beliefs ("Blurts" as the author calls them) on their heads.  A  v.e.r.y  s.i.m.p.l.e  t.h.i.n.g  t.o  d.o.  

I admit that a I skipped through a couple of the exercises by doing them in my head and not on paper (having children does that to you),  but it doesn't seemed to have halted the process.

Good things are starting to happen in my creative career. I'm thrilled that I now have more confidence in my abilities and belief in myself.  Two months ago I was struggling, doubting myself and hating every bit of painting. Now I'm enjoying focusing on the doing and not the judging.  Art should be fun, and so should life - this book really helps both. I'm off to read it again.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I have also been accepted to exhibit my paintings in Camden, London at the end of this month? Yup - bit excited!  

Below I have put a link straight through to the book at Amazon - that's how good I think it is.
Good luck and happy reading!


New paintings for the Autumn window display in Haslemere Health Foods, Surrey. Love the colours of this season.

'Big sky, moon, hills, ruined castle, stone circle whilst peeking through the trees - in blue please.' x